BeepAmazon BUSTED for Widespread Scheme to Inflate Prices Across the Economy— Amazon, its vendors, and competing retailers are price fixing, hiking up prices for consumer products, making Amazon richer
LoafedBurritoI’ve been telling people to stop supporting amazon for years, but everyone seems to have their reason to keep supporting them. This hopefully will be a good enough reason for people to finally stop shopping on amazon.
I haven’t bought anything from amazon in over 12 years. I find everything on the manufacturer’s website or eBay. No need to ever use amazon for anything.
Okay. Here’s my story. I have been looking for a 4K 32 to 43 inch monitor for my PC. TV or monitor, I just wanted 4k 120hz minimum. Didn’t really care about IPS or VA panels. Both have their pro’s and con’s.
Si I ended up getting a Philips Google TV 43" 4K Gaming TV with native 144Hz refresh rate. The asking price from Amazon was 450 CAD. everywhere I looked online It was 50 bucks more OR they were the same price, but charged 50 bucks in shipping.
THAT’S why I use Amazon. IF I can find it cheaper elsewhere, I’ll buy it somewhere else. For me price is everything since I’m on a fixed income.
You’re not alone in that. A lot of people’s care for ethics ends where a good deal begins.
What you should know is that these companies offer these good deals for a variety of reasons, but usually involving shady or borderline illegal business practices in one way or another.
I understand you’re on a fixed income - I sympathize with that and I don’t want to be rude to a stranger - but is the deal on a particular item you want worth the cost of endorsing what these companies do and stand for?
That 50 bucks means I only eat rice for a week. I’ve done it before, but I do not enjoy it.
I don’t think I’m expressing myself clearly. I understand the fixed income part and what 50 bucks can do to a person’s living situation. No issue there.
On the front end of your decision, you’re starting with “I need X with Y and Z”. None of these variables are negotiable? The “need” isn’t negotiable? Or are they not as negotiable as the care for the company’s awful business practices?
The systemic issues are the primary concern, but it is worth thinking about and examining within ourselves. We are ill-equipped to make informed decisions prior to every purchase. However, once we know how a particular purchase supports degrading the world around us, where is the line we won’t cross for a good deal?
That’s needlessly insulting after I’ve been nothing but cordial with you. Me bringing up things that bring you discomfort to think about doesn’t mean I’m the bad guy here. Have a nice day, and enjoy your TV.
Clearly the latter. Don’t let this sour guy dampen your willingness to engage meaningfully on this platform!
I won’t let it get to me. I insist on trying to get people to question themselves and the world around them.
And to the point of the insult: I’m not on a high horse, as there is no perfectly ethical consumption under our current situation. I give money to companies who I can’t say are operating ethically. But we need to approach that and discuss that to develop our consciousness as a class. The “it was a good deal and I’m completely removed from it” is a thought-terminating sentiment that barricades us from developing our understanding of the world around us.
To their credit: there are a lot of people insulting them. Their brain views this entire thread as adversarial now. I forgive them, as they are me and I am you. Solidarity always.
No_Bark$50 is the difference between having to eat only rice for a week, but you absolutely NEED a gaming monitor thats 32-43 inches with 4K resolution and 120hz refresh rate?
The only person your justifying your continued use of amazon to is yourself, and you’re doing a poor job.
I’m not the one acting like a martyr because not buying my 4K 43 inch 120hz from Amazon would mean I’d starve and die from having to eat rice for a week lmao.
No. Your just acting like, because you’re not shopping Amazon, that makes you almost as good as Jesus.
BananaIsABerryThere’s no limit to the self righteousness of lemmy users. Common mentality around here.
Average Lemmy user 😅
UnderpantsWeevilOkay, but have you considered that Amazon is the reason prices are high?
Obviously, none of these other retailers had a hand in it.
Aren’t most people on a fixed income?
Is such a TV… necessary?
Have you considered saving some for a few months and then buy the TV?
Is such a TV… necessary?
Have you considered saving some for a few months and then buy the TV?
There are a lot of people online who think that 100% abstinence from The Bad is the only way to be good.
But if you can shift 10% of your former Amazon spending, do it. And keep looking for a way to get to 15%, then 20%, and so on.
Like, I’m probably never going to be a strict vegetarian. I love a good burger, or a nicely-cooked steak, or a big bowl of chicken and dumplings. But I eat vegetarian for more than 75% of my meals. And that’s good enough for me.
Aren’t most people on a fixed income?
No, most people are on broken incomes.
SnausagesinaBlanketNot to leave out they’re easy to return stuff too.